MINISTRY CITES WORSENING WEATHER
All schools have been ordered closed on Friday, November 17.
In a release issued early Friday, the Ministry of Education said schools have been ordered closed to t prioritise the safety of all students and staff as the Meteorological Service of Jamaica has placed Jamaica under a Tropical Storm Watch.
The Ministry says significant rainfall that may lead to flooding is expected. It says rains may compromise the safety of key stakeholders as they journey to school and back home.
School administrators have been asked to transition to the remote/online modality for teaching and learning activities for the day.
Students without access to the internet or a computer/tablet must be given assigned tasks in their workbooks/textbooks as per their timetable, etc. to minimise the disruptions in their learning plan.
Meantime, the island remains under a tropical storm watch.
According to a bulletin issued 10 p.m. Thursday, by the Met Service, a developing area of low pressure over the Caribbean Sea moves closer to the island. This means that tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to Jamaica within 48 hours.
A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect for low-lying and flood-prone areas of southern and eastern parishes, including Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas, Portland and St Mary.
And a FLASH FLOOD WATCH remains in effect for other low-lying and flood-prone areas of the island.